Fire-escape



(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. BOWERS. FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 485,834. Patented Nov. 8, 1892.

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(No Model.)

2 Sheetez-SheetQ. A. BOWBRS.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 4 5 ,834. Patented Nov. 8, 1892.,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREV BOVVERS, OF BUCKLIN, MISSOURI.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 485,834, dated November 8, 1892.

Application filed January Z, 1891- Renewed April 14, 1892. Serial No. 429.123- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW Bownns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bucklin, in the county of Linn and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of the invention and is a perspective View. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the body-strap and stirrup. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fireescape, showing the method of operating the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fire-escapes; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, the letter A represents the frame of a window, having secured on opposite sides the perforated brackets or eyes a, which receive the downwardly-bent ends I) of a cross-bar B, said bar being bent at its central portion to form adownwardly-depending loop or eye I).

0 represents a strap provided with a suitable buckle c, said strap being adapted to extend around the bodyof a person, underneath the arms. Riveted or otherwise secured to this strap at a point which when the strap is applied to a person will lie on the opposite side from the buckle c is a stirrup D. Said stirrup comprises the metal piece or wire d, having the rear loop or eye (1' near one end for securing to the strap the smaller eye or 100p d, to which is secured a cord or strap 6, having at its lower end a foot-rest e, and the loop or eye f at either end for securing the opposite ends of the operating-rope E, which is first passed through the eye I) of crossbar B, one end of said rope being also passed through the loop cl" of the stirrup.

The operation and manner of use of this device are as follows: The cross-bar B, if not kept in position in the window-frame, is kept at any convenient point in the room, together with the strap and stirrup, with the rope connected to the parts in position for use. In case of fire the bar is placed in position and the strap 0 buckled firmly around the body. The rope E is thrown to the ground, where it is grasped by help and the person stepping from the window safely lowered by the ropes, the position and arrangement of which permit the person to be swung a considerable distance out from the building. \Vhere help below is not present the person may himself grasp the rope and lower himself, the friction of the rope through the eyes preventing toorapid descent. In case assistance is needed by the person or persons in the room they have only to put the bar B in position and throw the rope and strap to the ground, and help can be quickly raised to the window thereby. In case the person thus rendering assistance becomes confused or lost by reason of the smoke they can readily find their way back to the window by means of the rope.

This rope may, if desired, be rendered fireproof. One of these devices may be kept in each room of a building, being inexpensive, and the manner of use is so simple as to be readily understood and applied. If desired, instead of the bar B, having the loop or eye for the operating-rope to pass through, an eyebolt G may be secured to the casing, as shown, through which the said rope may be passed.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The fire-escape comprising the bar adapted to be supported in a window-casing, a loop formed therein, a rope passed through said loop and having its ends secured to eyes formed in the opposite ends of a stirrup, said stirrup also having secured thereto a rope serving as a foot-rest, and a body-strap secured to said stirrup, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW BOWERS.

Witnesses:

W. E. STORY, H. SHOOK. 

